Cersei Lannister merely snorted.
Tyrion Lannister grinned, "One last question."
His tone was calm, "How did you kill Robert I?"
Queen Mother Cersei sneered, her voice sounding boastful, "He brought it upon himself; we merely sent him on his way a little early. Lancel gave Robert strongwine the moment he saw him relentlessly pursuing the boar. I arranged for that wine; it was three times stronger than what he usually drank, and it quickly became the drunkard's favorite. In truth, he could have stopped drinking anytime he wished, but he insisted on asking Lancel for another pouch after finishing one... The rest was taken care of by the boar."
Her voice became cheerful, "Tyrion, you really should have been at that feast. I've never tasted such delicious boar meat in my life; it tasted of victory with every bite."
Tyrion: "..."
It was pretty much as he had guessed... Tyrion actually rather liked the gruff Robert Baratheon, partly because he always managed to deflate his arrogant sister.
He shrugged, "My dear sister, you truly are born to be a widow."
Without waiting for Cersei's reaction, he chuckled and added, "I'll take my leave now."
Queen Mother Cersei frowned, "You're not allowed to leave. I want to know your next plan."
Tyrion spread his hands, saying, "Queen Mother Sister, I've only just taken office. Plans are like fruit; they need time to ripen."
Tyrion turned and strode away, raising his right hand and waving it behind him as he walked.
...
...
King's Landing, Steel Gate, Captain of the Guard's Hall.
Greene Kleber put down the letter in his hand and rubbed his ink-black hair.
It was a reply from Davos Seaworth... In the letter, he tactfully declined the invitation for one of his sons to serve as the commander of the Kleber fleet.
The invitation letter had been sent when Eddard Stark was still serving as Hand of the King.
More than a month had passed.
Greene picked up the letter again and examined it; one-fifth of the letter was a humble refusal, and the rest was filled with praise for Duke Stannis's wisdom.
Greene's slender fingers tapped the table. The timing of the reply and its content were very clever.
Stannis would soon declare himself King of the Seven Kingdoms. This letter was a probing attempt by Stannis's faction; they valued the forces on the Crab Claw Peninsula, and he might be one of their key targets for recruitment.
It must be said... Stannis's faction's "diplomatic" methods were crude, or rather, arrogant.
Greene placed the letter back on the table.
The Red Priestess... Greene's right thumb moved against his forefinger.
...
Knock, knock, knock, a knock sounded, the door was pushed open, and Jeffrey walked in.
"My Lord, intelligence has just arrived: Tyrion Lannister is temporarily serving as Hand of the King, taking over for Duke Tywin Lannister."
So Tyrion was still appointed as the interim Hand? He would have to deal with him quite a bit in the coming period... Greene recalled Tyrion's public persona... Hmm... Not very important; in the future, it would mainly be about naked exchanges of interests.
It seemed that after Impa's knighting ceremony, he could begin his journey north... Greene's eyes suddenly moved, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.
A small figure silently climbed in through the window.
Jeffrey looked over alertly but quickly withdrew his gaze, exchanging a look with Greene, shrugging helplessly.
Greene cleared his throat, saying, "You may withdraw first."
Arya Stark crept closer like a kitten, her large eyes filled with excitement.
Getting closer and closer, Arya tried hard to pull down the corners of her mouth, trying to make herself "look" calm.
I'm about to... Arya was about to cheer, but before she could open her mouth, Greene's large hand suddenly appeared on her head.
Greene smiled, ruffling Arya's fluffy hair, and said, "Good day, Miss Arya."
Arya's eyes widened. She was very displeased, "Count Greene, how did you find me again?!"
Her small face puffed out, "Quick as a deer, silent as a shadow, swift as a snake, calm as still water, strong as a bear, fierce as a Direwolf... Syrio taught me, and I did it all!"
Greene smiled, "Your breathing."
Arya's small face crumpled into a ball, and she said annoyedly, "It must be because I was too happy, so my breathing got all messed up."
"Are you learning to ambush recently?"
Arya shook her head, "No, Syrio has been teaching me how to thrust quickly recently."
Greene raised an eyebrow, "Sir Syrio is a good teacher, but he's also a good opponent. You can try ambushing him."
Arya shook her head again, "Count Greene, although you're my good friend, you're my opponent."
Greene asked in confusion, "Opponent?"
A sad expression appeared on Arya's small face, but the next moment it turned into an excited one.
"Syrio told me that as long as I defeat you, I'll be able to protect anyone I want to protect, and I want to protect my father!"
Greene reached out and gently patted Arya's small head... The weak and unconscious Duke Ned had scared the little girl, and her Direwolf blood made her even braver.
Greene stood up, looking down at the small Arya, and said solemnly, "Arya the warrior, I will wait for you."
Arya held her head high, her large eyes sparkling as she looked at Greene, nodding heavily.
Arya hugged Greene's leg, saying, "We're parting tonight, and I'm so sad."
Greene smiled, "I'll come to see you before long. Duke Ned and I have already agreed to go hunting in Wolfswood together."
The little girl's happiness was always simple, "Really? That's great! I'll show you around then!"
Greene smiled and nodded, "Okay."
"I'm going to find Syrio!"
After speaking, Arya skipped away but quickly returned.
"Hehe, I forgot something important. My father said he needed to talk to you."
"..."
...
...
Inside the room, Duke Eddard and Jon Snow sat facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Greene pushed the door open, and a faint smile appeared on Duke Eddard's weary face.
Greene first bowed to Duke Eddard, then held out a hand to stop Jon, who was about to rise.
He patted Jon, saying, "Your leg has finally recovered."
On the day Joffrey sentenced Duke Eddard, Jon, upon hearing the news, wanted to sneak out and rescue his father alone.
Jon's leg injury had not yet healed, and he was limping as he tried to sneak away, but he was discovered by the Kleber's Blue Cloaks.
Jon was very stubborn, so Pel Pili had no choice but to detain him until Duke Eddard was successfully rescued.
Jon said somewhat awkwardly, "My Lord, I..."
He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say for a moment.
Greene waved his hand, saying, "You were eager to save him; we all know that."
Greene's brown eyes turned to Duke Eddard, "Duke Ned, Arya told me you were looking for me?"
Duke Eddard nodded slightly, remained silent for a moment, then looked at Greene and Jon.
He sighed and slowly began, "I am about to leave, and I wanted to tell Jon about his parentage before I go..."
As he spoke, his gray eyes looked at Greene and he continued, "Jon will become your squire, and I feel I cannot hide this from you."
Jon's excitement was unconcealable on his face; he stared unblinkingly at Duke Eddard; Greene, on the other hand, nodded with a solemn expression.
Duke Eddard, having gone through this ordeal, had greatly awakened, or perhaps, come to a realization.
A hint of bitterness appeared on Duke Eddard's face... Self-righteous concealment often hurts the innocent.
"Jon, I am not your father. You are my sister... Lyanna Stark's child."
Jon was utterly shocked; he had heard an answer he could never have dreamed of.
He murmured, "How is that possible...?"
Duke Eddard did not understand gradual progression; he continued, "Your father is Rhaegar Targaryen."
As Duke Eddard's words fell, the air seemed to solidify.
After a long while, Greene's voice broke the silence, "The false spring?"
Duke Eddard nodded slightly, his face sorrowful.
Greene sighed softly, saying, "No wonder you kept it hidden all this time..."
Lord Green was already in character... Duke Eddard, to protect his sister's child, sacrificed his honor, which he held dearer than life.
"I was actually always curious how a man of your character could have a bastard. It turns out you were protecting Jon."
Duke Eddard's large hand patted Jon, whose eyes were red, and he said, "Lyanna loved you very much."
...
His sister, lying in a bed of blood, whispered to him: Ned... Promise me...
Duke Eddard lowered his gaze to his own hands... Hearing his promise, the fear in Lyanna's eyes vanished. She smiled, her fingers tightly clasping his hand until her life faded away.
Duke Eddard hid his inner sorrow, and he added, "She loved flowers very much; her favorite was the winter Rose."
Jon turned his head, wiping away the ceaseless hot tears with the back of his hand.
...
Jon, with swollen eyes, his voice filled with determination, "Lord Stark, I don't want to go to the Crab Claw Peninsula. I want to leave Westeros."
"Jon..."
"I want to go out and see the world."
"You're still young..."
Jon interrupted Duke Eddard's persuasion again, "No, I've grown up, and I'm not being impulsive."
Greene silently watched the Stark stubbornness; he could see that Jon's mind was made up.
Seeing that the two of them stopped talking, Greene looked at Jon, "Jon, you don't have to worry about burdening others. The Crab Claw Peninsula is enough to shelter..."
Duke Eddard raised a hand to stop Greene's words. Greene spread his hands and said no more.
Duke Eddard nodded slightly towards Greene, then looked at the resolute Jon, his gaze subtly tinged with reluctance, "Jon, I believe you have grown up. I will respect your choice."
Jon lowered his face, his breathing uneven; he seemed to be trying hard to control his emotions, "Thank you."
Duke Eddard patted Jon's shoulder, a smile of relief on his face.
"My child, Winterfell will always be your home."
...
At night, on a secluded coast in King's Landing, Greene was saying goodbye to the Stark family.
Arya, standing to Duke Eddard's left, spoke first, "Count Greene, I'll miss you."
Greene said gently, "Arya, I'll miss you too."
"Don't forget our promise!"
"Mm, I won't forget."
Sansa, standing to Duke Eddard's right, held up her skirt with both hands and performed a very graceful curtsy.
"Count Greene, I am very sorry. I misunderstood your good intentions."
Greene shook his head slightly, "Miss Sansa, you are very strong. I am happy for you."
Sansa's smile was very sweet, "Sir Greene, I will always remember your kindness."
Joffrey's deception seemed to have made the naive little girl suddenly grow up, but the gentle-speaking, sweet-smiling Sansa... the Sansa who loved beautiful clothes, enchanting songs, heroic deeds, and handsome knights... she had not completely disappeared.
Greene smiled and nodded.
Duke Eddard patted Greene, saying, "Thank you, my child."
Greene smiled, saying, "Duke Ned, Kleber never forgets."
A smile appeared on Duke Eddard's serious face. He handed the rediscovered greatsword Ice to Greene, "Take it, my child. The friendship between Stark and Kleber will last forever."
Greene extended both hands and solemnly received the greatsword Ice from Duke Eddard's hands.
"Duke Ned, the friendship between Kleber and Stark will last forever."
"Winter is Coming."
"United We Stand."
...
...
Tonight, the sea was calm. After Duke Eddard and his party left the coast in a small boat, they approached the waiting ship, the Black Pearl.
The Black Pearl would take them directly to White Harbor in the North.
On the deck of the Black Pearl, Rowsell bowed, saying, "Good evening, Lord Duke Stark. I am Rowsell of the Cley Cerwyn Trading Company. This time, I will escort you under the guise of purchasing leather. Roselle awaits your command."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Arya's voice was somewhat excited, "Father, this ship is so big! Can I fish?"
Duke Eddard smiled helplessly, saying, "Of course you can, but be careful."
Syrio Forel straightened his clothes, grinning as he said, "Girl, fishing is also part of sword training."
Arya made a face and ran off. Syrio reluctantly followed her.
"Lord Stark?"
Duke Eddard turned towards the direction of the voice and looked over, exclaiming in surprise, "Gendry?"
Duke Eddard strode over, and after confirming it was Robert's child, his surprise immediately turned into delight.
"Child, how did you come to be here?"
The sturdy Gendry Waters scratched his head shyly in response to Duke Eddard's concern.
"The guards in King's Landing suddenly wanted to arrest me, and Lord Green helped me escape pursuit... He said the Lannister wanted to kill me and told me to leave King's Landing with you."
Duke Eddard's large hand patted Gendry's strong shoulder, "Child, I will take care of you."
Gendry hesitated, then said, "My Lord, forgive my boldness, but can you tell me... why you are being good to me?"